India repatriates citizens from Lebanon and Qatar amid West Asia tensions

India has intensified its efforts to support its citizens in West Asia as rising regional tensions persist, disrupting travel and safety conditions. Several Indian nationals have been assisted in returning home from Lebanon and Qatar.

On Wednesday, the Indian Embassy in Beirut reported that the first batch of 177 Indian nationals was repatriated to New Delhi on a charter flight arranged by their employer. India’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Noor Rahman Sheikh, saw them off at Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport.

In a post on X, the embassy stated that the mission remains committed to providing the best possible assistance to Indian citizens in Lebanon.

Earlier, on March 11, the Indian Embassy in Qatar assisted more than 500 stranded Indians to travel to India on Qatar Airways flights departing for New Delhi and Mumbai. The embassy further announced that two more flights are scheduled for March 12—one each to New Delhi and Mumbai—to continue the repatriation process.

Authorities have also issued an advisory asking members of the Indian community to remain cautious and follow official instructions. The embassy said its three 24/7 helplines remain operational to assist Indian nationals with queries or emergencies.

Officials added that urgent passport services are being prioritised due to the situation. The consular section has been open throughout the week, and Tatkal passports are being issued within one or two days.

Residents were also advised to take official alerts seriously and avoid approaching unidentified objects, debris, or fragments and report them to emergency services.

Earlier, India expressed concern over attacks targeting commercial shipping in the ongoing West Asia conflict after missile strikes on the Thai-flagged cargo vessel Mayuree Naree in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, operated by Precious Shipping Plc, had departed from Khalifa Port in the UAE and was heading to Kandla port in Gujarat when it came under attack around 10 a.m.

India reiterated that attacks on commercial vessels and civilian maritime traffic must be avoided as they pose risks to crew members and global trade routes.